Molding clip



May 11, 1954 FLORA 2,677,862

MOLDING CLIP Filed July 5, 1952 INVENTOR [4086'4/6'6 A. F2084 BY @MW ATTORNEY Patented May 11, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE 2,677,862 MOLDING CLIP Laurence H. Flora,

Cleveland,

Ohio, assignor to Tinnerman Products, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Application July 3, 1952, Serial No. 297,025

1 Claim.

This invention relates fasteners for securing moldings, trim the secure various sizes of moldings in different Widths.

In most instances, the construction of a molding clip or fastener is such that it is suitable for use only with a molding or trim strip of one width or size, and accordingly, a complete line of clips in different sizes must be provided for moldings of various widths or sizes. In the use of a molding clip or fastener suitable for securing various outwardly or the like, on its opposite sides elongate spring arms moldings of various widths and otherwise adapted. for effective, proper connection to moldings of a standard size despite manufacturing variations and irregularities in the formaton of the moldings.

opposite molding sion.

A further object of the invention is to provide clip or fastener, as aforesaid, in which the body of the clip is provided in a relatively large generally H-shaped formation comprising opposing elongate resilient spring gagement with opposite inner wall portions of various sizes of moldings of relatively large cross section.

Further objects and tion, and other new and useful features in the reference characters designate out, and in which:

Fig. l is a perspective outer surface tive and the t of adjacent said inturned flanges l.

The molding clip or fastener to, Figs. 1 and 2, is constructed from a sheet metal blank which is stamped to define a central body portion in the form of generally rectangular base ll having integral side strips l2 extending lengthwise of said base or body portion l l and upturned or bent outwardly out of the plane of the upper surface of said base II in the manner of longitudinal ribs, or the like. These integral side strips l2 include elongate extensions which project beyond the ends of the base H for any desired length and thereby define pairs of opposing spring arms M extending from each end of said base or body portion It. It will be understood that the side strips !2 including the extensions thereon dcflning said spring arms M, are integral portions of the blank and initially are in the plane of the base H. When said side strips l2 are upturned or bent outwardly out of the plane of said base i l substantially in normal relation thereto, said extensions M have their flat surfaces disposed in opposing face to face relation. The spring arms M, thus provided, are in the nature of pairs of spaced, opposing elongate flexible leaf springs having their flat surfaces in opposing face to face relation and bent laterally outwardly from each other in suitable diverging relation, substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

Important advantages are involved in thus providing said pairs of spring arms it with their surface portions in opposing face to face relation in that said spring arms are thereby adapted to move readily inwardly and outwardly with respect to each other to seat properly and effectively in connected relation with moldings of different widths and otherwise compensate for any manufacturing variations in a supply of moldings in a specific size as provided in mass production methods of assembly. In addition, in providing said spring arms l t with their flat surfaces in opposing face to face relation, the fiat surfaces on the ends of said spring arms are admirably suited to be formed into bearing portions having a curved or other formation corresponding to the contour of the inner surface portions of the wall of the molding M which they engage so as to seat firmly and rigidly in connected relation with spring tension, thereby eliminating loose fit of the clip within the molding which could result in a faulty assembly or squeaks, rattles and other annoying sounds in a completed installation. surfaces on the end portions of said spring arms M are stamped with outward bosses or protuberances it which fit snugly within the rounded corner portions 4 of the molding M. As seen in Fig. 2, the rounded surfaces of have the same general contour as the rounded surfaces of said corners ll of the molding whereby said bosses W are in bearing engagement therewith over a relatively wide area to provide a firm and rigid connection of the spring arms i l with the molding in the most elfective manner. In the diverging relation of the pairs of opposing spring arms 14, such diverging relation is such that the bosses 18 on each pair of diverging arms are normally spaced apart a distance greater than the space between said corners fl of the molding. Each pair of diverging spring arms 14, therefore, must be compressed toward each other in a manner whereby said bosses l8 thereon seat against the rounded surfaces of said corners 4 of the molding M under the expansive spring force set up in each pair of spring arms M in compressed relation toward each other.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs.

the molding under In the present example, the flat said bosses i8 1 and 2, the shank of the clip is provided by a suitable bolt, screw or other stud 20 connected to the base or body portion H of the clip and having a shank 2| projecting from the undersurface thereof. In the preferred highly simplified construction, the shank 2| of the bolt or screw 20 extends through a central passage 23, Fig. 2, in the base H of the clip, and has a generally rectangular head 25 of slightly less width than the width of the space between the upturned or outwardly bent side strips l2 so that the side edges of said head 25 seat in abutting relation with said side strips [2 to prevent turning of said head 25 of the bolt relative to the base or body portion H of the clip. The head 25 of the bolt is relatively thin and of less thickness than the height of said upturned side Accordingly, in the assembled relation of said bolt head 25 on the base ll of the clip, the outer or upper edges of said side strips i2 extend beyond the outer surface of said bolt head 25 and are crimped over the bolt head 25 into inwardly extending tabs or tongues 26 which retain the bolt 20 in permanently assembled relation with the base or body I I of the clip substantially as shown in Fig. 1. The completed form of clip l0 preferably is provided with added resistance against turning and rotation of the bolt head 25 relative to the base ll of the clip by forming a depression in said H in which the underside of said bolt head 25 is seated. The depression in the base H provides a pair of spaced shoulders 28 which abut the ends of the bolt head 25 in cooperation with the side strips 12 in abutting relation with the sides of said bolt head 25. Accordingly, both sides and ends of the bolt head 25 are retained by abutments at four points around the periphery of said bolt head 25 in a manner which positively prevents any possible rotation of the bolt head 25 relative to the base or body H of the clip. This, of course, is important in the application of a cooperating nut N, Fig. 2, to the bolt shank 2| during which said bolt shank 2% must be held against turning with the nut N as said nut is tightened in order to insure a tight and effective installation which is not subject to loosening or displacement.

In completing an installation of a molding M substantially as shown in Fig. 2, it will be under stood that as many of the clips or fasteners 10 as are necessary or desirable are attached to the molding M at spaced points along the length thereof. Each of the clips I!) is easily and quickly attached to the molding simply by positioning the spring arms M of the clip lengthwise of the molding M adjacent the space between the inturned flanges I thereof with the shank 2| of the bolt projecting from the underside of said molding. The pairs of diverging spring arms M are readily compressed toward each other as necessary for the bosses IS on the extremities thereof to pass within the space between said inturned flanges l whereupon said spring arms 14 expand and seat said bosses l8 thereon in the rounded corners 4 of the molding M in connected relation therewith, as aforesaid.

The molding M is then ready to be applied to the supporting part A which is prepared with a suitable number of stud receivin openings 5 along the path which said molding extends in mounted position thereon and with said openings 5 having a predetermined spacing corresponding to the spacing of the shanks 2| of the clips In in attached position on the molding M. The

supporting part A may be of suitable metal, with the molding flanges l, as aforesaid, there wood or fibre board construction but usually is is no tendency for the clips to become displaced is readily provided with said openings 5 in a the operation of forcing each clip shank 32 simple punching or drilling operation. The shank 2| of each clip I is inserted into its respective shank legs 32 of each clip are readily compressed opening of the plate or panel A to project from in tensioned locking engagement in its panel washers w, w, to complete the installation of the with the molding M.

molding, substantially as shown in Fig. 2. The base or body portion ll of the clip of Figs. Figs. 3 and 4 show another form of molding 1 and 2 and the complete fastener of Figs. 3 and 4 p or fastener 30 n w h t e ba e 0 body p are constructed of relatively thin sheet metal the I 8 thereon are provided in the same general conice requirements and the predetermined size of described with reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In spring metal suitably tempered and otherwise this form of the invention, the clip is provided treated to give the desired toughness and hardas a one-piece device with the shank formed from 20 ness. A cheap but effective fastener may be prointegral portions of the blank to define a stud vided from cold rolled metal, such as 'old rolled tions defining legs 32 on each end thereof be While the invention has been described m detween the pairs of spaced spring arms M hese tail with specific examples, such examp es are nleg portions 32 are bent to project from the untended as illustrations only, inasmuch as it is dersurface of the base or body portion l i and n quite apparent that other modifications in the are formed with outwardly diverging cam shoulconstruction arrangement and general combinaders 33 merging into inwardly converging, wedgetion of parts and elements of the invention may shaped guide surfaces 34 extending to the free be provided without departing from the spirit and ends of said leg members 32 which preferably are scope of the invention.

in abutting relation at the point of the shank to M What is claimed is: add stiffness to said legs 32 and rigidity to the A clip for a molding, or the like, comprising a shank thus provided. piece of sheet metal providing a base and integral proJecting from the underside of said molding said base, said side strips being bent outwardly the panel opening 1. diverging relation away from said base and said Axial pressure is then applied to the top of the surface portions thereon b ing yieldable toward molding M in the area of the head of each clip to and from each other transversely of said base panel opening 7, whereupon the inclined guide the inner wall of said molding, or the like, said surfaces 34 on said legs 32 cam against the marbase ha ing a depression between said side strips ginal edges of the panel opening l' to cause a defining spaced shoulders and being provided gradual contraction of said legs 32 as necessary with a passage in said depression and a headed for the same to pass th ough said openmg l to a stud having its shank extending through aid position in which the cam shoulders 33 spring passage and projecting from the undersurface of outwardly into engagement with the marginal said base with the head of said stud seated in portion of said panel opening 1', substanitally as said depression and having its ends in abutting shown in Fig. 4. Preferably said shoulders 33 are relation to said shoulders defined by said depresprovided in the form of diverging cam surfaces, sion and its sides in abutting relation to said outas shown, which are adapted to ride on the lower wardly bent side strips on said base.

matically seat in fastening engagement with such References Cited in the file of this p en lower corner edge of the panel opening 7 in the UNITED STATES PATENTS most effective manner even though the margina portion of the panel opening may not be of proper (35 2: Oct 1 1 5 1938 thickness or has some slight irregularity. In ad- 31 Van 3 A 1939 dition, such shoulders 33 in the form of cam sur- 5' Van Uum l;- 1 1940 faces adapt the clip for eilective application to 5 1 W ey NOV. 12, 1940 panels of dififerent thicknesses within limits, and 5 Kr I J 1 22 4 Otherwise provide a suitable axial drawing action 7 u y 19 1 on the clip shank which pulls the molding tightly 2:354:49 churchlll D 1 4 against the supporting panel B in mounted posi- 21346312 Tmnqman p 18, 1944 tion. Inasmuch as the generally H-shaped head 115151395 Poupltch y 8, 1950 portions of the clip defined by the cooperating 2,521,354 F ora Sept. 5, 1950 pairs of spring arms I 4 are firmly interlocked 75 2,626, 72 Flora Jan. 27. R 

